Washington County proclaims May 2025 Drug Treatment Court Month; program reports 71% success rate among graduates

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Drug Treatment Court Month and received an update on the county’s treatment court program.

Jennifer Ricker, treatment court coordinator, provided program statistics and background. The county’s adult treatment court opened officially in June 2019 and is preparing for its seventh graduation. Ricker reported the program had 32 successful graduates in its current count and that in‑house analysis showed a 71% success rate after graduation among participants studied so far. Ricker said 37% of graduates reported a relapse at some point, and 29% had new offenses recorded; in the prior classes she cited, eight of 27 had received a new charge. She noted that long‑term sobriety rates increase substantially for those who reach four to seven years of continuous sobriety.

Court Administrator Kristen Gorsenickel described a recent fellowship‑driven review of the program and said staff are working to align local practice with national best practice standards and to collect additional data for a more rigorous recidivism analysis. Michelle Scruggum, case manager, and Ricker were credited by staff and by commissioners for extensive work with participants; Judge Wilson was unavailable but was recognized for supporting the program.

County commissioners congratulated graduates who attended the meeting and encouraged community attendance at a graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday, May 16. The board also presented a proclamation recognizing the month and lauding the role of treatment courts in reducing recidivism and facilitating treatment and recovery.

Ending: Staff will proceed with additional program evaluation work and the county will host and publicize the upcoming graduation ceremony.